Oakville Town Council is opposing parts of the provincial government’s Bill 66 that could jeopardize the Greenbelt and other environmental protections.
Councillors voted unanimously in Halton’s Council Chamber January 14, 2019 to oppose provisions in Schedule 10 of the Bill 66: Restoring Ontario’s Competitiveness Act, 2018 that amend, repeal or override the Clean Water Act, 2006, and the Greenbelt Act, 2005. They are calling for the provisions to be removed from the Bill.
“Schedule 10 would allow such by-laws to override important planning, water, agricultural and environmental protections contained in the Clean Water Act, 2006, and the Greenbelt Act, 2005; the Places to Grow Act, 2005 and other provincial legislation,” said Mayor Rob Burton, who put forward the motion.
He expressed concern that no notice or public hearing is required prior to the passing of such a by-law nor are there any appeal rights thereafter.
“The Greenbelt has protected 1.8 million acres of farmland, local food supplies, the headwaters of our rivers and important forest and wildlife habitat for over 12 years,” he said. “A permanent Greenbelt is an important part of the planning for sustainable communities.”
“Schedule 10 of Bill 66 does not represent how the Town of Oakville and its residents want to do business,” Mayor Burton continued.
The resolution also opposes provisions in Schedule 5 of Bill 66 that abolish the Toxics Reduction Act, 2009.
Council has pledged the Town of Oakville will not exercise the powers granted to it in Schedule 10 or any successor sections or schedules to pass such planning by-laws where they are contrary to Oakville’s official plan.
The resolution states the approval of a Bill 66 by-law for a lower tier municipality require the review and approval of the upper tier municipality; and the approval of a Bill 66 by-law clearly require that the integrity of the Greenbelt and source water protection be achieved.
The resolution will be distributed to the leaders of all parties represented in the legislature, the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing; the Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks; all Greater Golden Horseshoe municipalities, all Halton MPPs and the Association of Municipalities of Ontario.
More Information
Bill 66 is available on the Government of Ontario's website
.